Newsletter 7 02 2014

All Hallows Catholic College Newsletter Epiphany Term

PRAYER Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking and those who work to combat it.

God, who led Saint Josephine Bakhita from abject slavery to the dignity of being your daughter and a bride of Christ, grant, we pray, that by her example we may show constant love for the Lord Jesus crucified, remaining steadfast in charity and prompt to show compassion. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

PARENTS AS PARTNERS: E-SAFETY www.parentport.org.uk is a useful website for parents/carers. This gives guidance and advice about the safe use of technology for your children, such as how to set up internet filters to stop harmful websites being viewed and how to use security settings.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS: STUDENT COLLECTION BY CAR Parents/carers are reminded that they should not enter the turning circle or the access road to the turning circle to collect their children by car.

Parents/carers are asked to collect their child adjacent to the College after the students have exited by the student gate next to the controlled crossing on Oxford Road.

Friday 7th February 2014

EXAMS Friday 23/05/14 INSET DAY EXAMS Please be advised that the following GCE/GCSE exams will be taking place on the above date.

GCE (AS) CHEM1 @ 9.00 am GCE (AS) 6RS02 @13.00 pm (Ethics and Psychology Paper 2) GCSE (Year 11) Drama Unit 3 @13.00 pm GCSE (Year 11) History Unit 2 @ 9.00 am Dates and times are set by the exam boards and cannot be re-arranged by the college. Students taking these courses are therefore expected to attend their exams on this date in school uniform or business dress. School buses will be arranged for students concerned. Parents/Guardians please complete transport requirements slips and return to Form Tutor/Reception/ Exams Office. Thank you.

Exam Results Days - August 2014 Thursday 14th August 2014 8:30am - 10:30am A2 Results (Year 13) 11:00am - 12:30am AS Results (Year 12) Thursday 21st August 2014 10:00am - 12:00 noon - GCSE Results (Y11 only) SPECIALISM SUCCESS OF THE WEEK Congratulations to George Tyldsley in Year 9 who has achieved over 12000 points in Vocab Express

COMMUNITY MASS All Hallows Chapel every Friday 9am-9.45am Parents/Carers/Parishioners are all welcome

YEAR LEADER "DROP IN SURGERIES” Year Learning Leader "Drop In Surgeries" will be run on the following times and dates: Year 9 Friday 14 February between 9 am and 10am with Mrs Moulsdale.

Year 11 Tuesday 4 March 2014 between 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm with Mrs Williams These are for parents who would like to discuss any concerns relating to their child. No appointment is necessary but please be prepared to wait. Future dates for other year groups will be confirmed shortly.

HALF TERM CLASSES The College is open over half term to offer the following: "Spring Grade Booster Conference 2014" (February Half Term 10am-2pm) Monday 17 - Year 11 Science, Year 11 Languages and Year 12 German Tuesday 18 - Year 11 Languages.

Wednesday 19 - Years 11, 12 and 13 Dance, Year 13 Theatre Studies.

A letter with a permission slip is on the College website YEAR 8 PROCESS Parents/carers of Year 8 students should note the following important dates concerning the Pathway (Option) Process.

Students in Year 8 should come home with a letter on Friday 7 February which will also be on the College website.

Date

Event

February onwards Fri 7th February Fri 28th February Fri 28th February

Students involved in dialogue about pathways with subject teachers and form tutors.

Letter to parents (Form Tutor/Website) Y8 Pathways Assembly Pathways Booklet Issued (Assembly)

Thu 6th March 7.00 pm – 9.30 pm Tue 11th March 3.45 pm – 5.30 pm Mon 17th March

Y8 Pathways Information Evening (please bring Pathways Booklet) Leadership Team Y8 Parental Surgery Conference Room Deadline for Pathway Choices

ATTENDANCE MATTERS Over the last week of College attendance was as follows:

98.00%

Year 7 - 97.3% (the same as last week) Year 8 - 96.5% (down 1.5%) Year 9 - 95.9% (up 1.1% - well done Year 9) Year 10 - 95.2% (up 0.1% - well done Year 10) Year 11 - 94.6% (down 0.5%) Year 12 – 90.92% Year 13 - 94.43

96.00% 94.00% 92.00% 90.00% 88.00%

The average for the week was 95.9% (down 0.1%). Since 3rd September attendance is still 95.6%. We aim for 97%.

86.00% YEAR 7

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

YEAR 10 YEAR 11 YEAR 12 YEAR 13

Last week GIRLS attendance has increased 0.1% to 95.3%, BOYS attendance has decreased 0.3% to 96.6% so well done to our girls. Since 3rd September boys are still winning girls 96.1% to 95.2%. Come on girls, you can beat the boys!

Parents are politely reminded to avoid absence unless it is absolutely necessary. Thank you for your ongoing support regarding medical absence and holiday absence.

Holiday absence from College Holidays have not been authorised since 1st September 2013 under new legislation on all English schools. Requests for holidays must still be made in writing to the appropriate Key Stage leader (Mrs Garvey KS5, Mr Blades KS4 and Mr Diamond KS3), but in the vast majority of cases they will be unauthorised. A Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued of £60 per parent / carer per student, to be paid within 21 days, otherwise the penalty will rise to £120 per parent / carer to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty remains unpaid then the matter will proceed to the Magistrates Court where you will receive a criminal record if you are found guilty.

Medical absence from College Whilst the College requires parents to contact us on each day of absence , school policy now requires that any student who accumulates 7 or more days of absence during the course of the academic year will be asked to provide medical confirmation of the need to be absent before any further absences are authorised for medical reasons. This is a necessary measure as we closely monitor absence due to illness / medical reasons in order that we can ensure students are supported where needed.

For your information medical confirmation does not have to be a doctor's note but can also take the form of a medical appointment card, a copy of a relevant dated prescription or evidence of medication being taken If no medical evidence is provided then the absence will be coded as unauthorised. Ten or more unauthorised absences may result in you receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice. This incurs a penalty of £60 per parent / carer to be paid within 21 days, otherwise the penalty will rise to £120 per parent / carer to be paid within 28 days. If the penalty remains unpaid then the matter will proceed to the Magistrates Court where you will receive a criminal record if you are found guilty.

The link between attendance and achievement is well researched and documented and students should be aiming for an attendance rate of no less than 97% over the year. Thank you for your continued support with this importance issue

CALENDAR

Term

College Opens to Students

College Closes to Students

Epiphany

Monday 6 January 2014

Friday 14 February 2014

Easter

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Friday 4 April 2014

Whitsun

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Thursday 22 May 2014

Trinity

Monday 2 June 2014

Tuesday 22 July 2014

The following are the dates for training days in 2013-14. Students are not required to attend on these days. Unless taking an external exam.

Monday 24 February 2014 Tuesday 25 February 2014 Tuesday 22 April 2014 Friday 23 May 2014 Wednesday 23 July 2014

ADVANCED NOTICE Languages Controlled Assessments 2013-2014

Please find below the list of dates for the languages controlled assessments. Each assessment can count for 15% of the final GCSE. Teachers will let your son/daughter know on which dates they will complete assessments. Please avoid time off both on the date and in the lessons preceding these dates. Please contact a.harrison@allhallows.org.uk with any queries.

Year 11 Speaking 2 Year 10 Writing 2

Thursday and Monday 13/17 March 10y Tuesday 6 May 10g Thursday 8 May

Speaking 1 Speaking 2

Tuesday/Wednesday 10/11 March Thursday/Friday 3 /4 July

Year 9 Speaking

Tuesday/Wednesday 8/9 July

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RECOMMENDED READS Tropic of Capricorn: Circling the World on a Southern Adventure

by Simon Reeve In "Tropic of Capricorn", best-selling author Simon Reeve embarks on a 23,000-mile trek around the southern-most border of the tropics - a place of both amazing beauty and overwhelming human suffering. Heading east through Africa, Australia and South America, Simon encounters breathtaking landscapes and truly extraordinary people: from Bushmen of the Kalahari and Namibian prostitutes battling with HIV to gem miners in Madagascar and teenagers in the Brazilian favela -once described as the most dangerous place on earth. It is a collection of daring adventures, strange rituals and exotic wildlife, all linked together by one invisible line. Like the best travel writing, "Tropic of Capricorn" confronts important issues of our time - our changing environment, poverty, globalisation - by taking us on an unforgettable journey of discovery.

The Immortals: Evermore

by Alyson Noel Seventeen-year-old Ever is the sole survivor of a car crash that killed her entire family. Living with her aunt in Southern California, she's plagued by the ability to hear the thoughts of those around her, and haunted by the ghost of her little sister. She tries to tune everyone out, shunning her old lifestyle as the pretty, popular cheerleader, but somehow she can't hide from Damen, the new guy at school. Stunningly handsome, clever and not a little bit intimidating, there's something about him that doesn't quite add up. Ever realises he's hiding something, but nothing could prepare her for the truth - especially when the truth involves past lives, murderous enemies, everlasting love and the secret of eternal youth.

PARENT VIEW SURVEY FOR 2013-14

4 parent responses so far to the OfSTED Parent View Survey for 2013-14.

Each week we will be presenting a statistic from the 2012-13 survey and asking you a question or two about how we can continue to work together to do our very best for our young people. 130 parents responded last year and we’d like to reach a minimum of 200 this year!

My child feels safe at this College

As a Catholic College we pride ourselves on trying to address the needs of the whole child. 100% of parents strongly agree or agree that their children feel safe at All Hallows but there are ever increasing dangers and risks for young people. What do we need to teach about safety and managing risk? How do we make sure our children stay safe? Email your views to parentview@allhallows.org.uk and please follow this link to complete the questionnaire this year - http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk

COMING SOON– OUR NEW ONLINE PAYMENT SERVICE We’re pleased to announce that we will be launching ParentPay as our preferred method of payment to school from 23 April 2014.

ParentPay offers you the freedom to make online payments whenever and wherever you like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week safe in the knowledge that the technology used is of the highest internet security available.

Parents will have a secure online account, activated using a unique username and password (these will be sent to you shortly); making a payment with your credit or debit card is straightforward and ParentPay holds an electronic record of your payments for you to view at a later date.

In addition to payments ParentPay also offers an integrated email/SMS reminders option ensuring you never need miss a payment and helping you keep your child’s school meal account in credit.

We look forward to your support in using ParentPay as it will help us further support teaching and learning by reducing the burden of income collection in the classroom and school office whilst improving school-home communication.

We will be sending letters to parents in the near future and holding a ‘drop-in’ session on 4 March 2014 between 2.30pm-4.30pm to answer any queries SECOND PARENT CONSULTATION DAY A SUCCESS Levels of parental attendance at parents’ consultation have shot up!

Yr8 from 83% last year to 91% this year (16 parents not attending) Yr10 from 82% last year to 85% (30 parents not attending) and data from the previous Consultation Day is: Yr7 82% last year to 95% this year (8 parents not attending) Yr9 from 84% last year to 91% (22 parents not attending) On line bookings also helped secure high level of attendance at the Yr11 parents evening which was 77% (44 parents not attending).

We would like to thank all parents who have made this a priority for your support and partnership.

CAREERS ADVICE FOR STUDENTS If any parents would like their son or daughter to have a careers interview this year with Mrs Jean Pilling, our new careers advisor, then please notify the relevant Year Leader who can ensure names are added to the list.

Priority will be given to Year 11, 12 and 13 students, but she will also see other students lower down the college for careers interviews. She has a drop in on Thursday lunchtime for students of any year.

ECO FACT By trapping air in gap between two panes of glass, double-glazing creates an insulating barrier that reduces noise, condensation and cuts heat loss through the windows by 50%. Best of all, it could shave up to £40 off your annual heating bills.

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 who are considering a career in the construction industry have been invited to a taster day at Reaseheath College. See Mr Blades for more details.

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN AN APPRENTICESHIP FREE TASTER SESSION Students in Y11, 12 and 13 who are considering an apprenticeship are invited to a free taster session being run by Total People on Friday 7 March between 9.30 and 12.00 - see Mr Blades for more details.

COMMUNITY EVENTS FAMILY GAMES NIGHT St Alban’s parish will be holding a family ‘Games Night’ with a fish and chip supper on Saturday 28th February, 6.45pm in the parish centre. All welcome. Soft drinks available. To place an order for fish and chips or for further information, please contact Natalie Nye, tel 421603. There is also a list at the back of St Alban’s church to sign up on CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Isobel Skidmore Yr12 who was placed 3rd in the North West Public Speaking competition last weekend. Well done also to Jake Crossley Yr12 for taking part.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY SOME AMAZE-ING HEART SHAPED CANDLES Amaze - a group of Year 8 students (8Y1A) are making 100 heart shaped candles for Valentine's Day. They are for sale from Monday 10 February to Friday 14 February and some of the proceeds will go towards the India Clinic Appeal.

They will be sold in the shop and yards, as well as to friends and family. The candles will make a great gift for Valentine's Day and you will help a good cause.